Venetian Walls

The so-called 'Venetian Walls' belong, like the St. Nicholas cathedral, to the de Lusignan period. They are 2,5 miles long and enclose the entire old city. The walls were originally more than 6 feet thick, and were equipped with several turrets. With the introduction of artillery, in 1489, the Venetians decided to strengthen the walls, making them 60 feet tall and more than 20 feet thick. Outside the walls a moat was dug, and kept full of water at all times. There were two entrance gates, accessible by drawbridge. But all this fortification could not avoid Turkish conquest in 1571, after 4 month of bitter fighting.